Joseph Belli
@josephpbelli.bsky.social
CA-based wildlife biologist working with condors, reptiles & amphibians. Writer, author of "The Diablo Diary" and "Beneath a Black and White Sky: A Year among Condors at Pinnacles National Park" (2024)
Looking east near the summit of Parkfield Grade. Hardly a road or building in sight.
November 14, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Looking east near the summit of Parkfield Grade. Hardly a road or building in sight.
Predawn sky this morning along Pacheco Pass.
November 5, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Predawn sky this morning along Pacheco Pass.
Most definitely not a pet, nor did I even take this photo of a week-old condor tended to by a parent, taken by a colleague at Pinnacles. (Photo credit Gavin Emmons, NPS).
October 24, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Most definitely not a pet, nor did I even take this photo of a week-old condor tended to by a parent, taken by a colleague at Pinnacles. (Photo credit Gavin Emmons, NPS).
Mist surrounding valley oaks this morning along Pacheco Pass.
October 24, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Mist surrounding valley oaks this morning along Pacheco Pass.
Tonight’s sunset, Pacheco Pass
October 22, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Tonight’s sunset, Pacheco Pass
My secret frog spot, a tiny pool in a shaded erosion gully below an earthen dam. It’s only 10’x7’ but it’s over 3 feet deep.
There were a half dozen red-legs here when I scrambled down today.
There were a half dozen red-legs here when I scrambled down today.
October 17, 2025 at 12:38 AM
My secret frog spot, a tiny pool in a shaded erosion gully below an earthen dam. It’s only 10’x7’ but it’s over 3 feet deep.
There were a half dozen red-legs here when I scrambled down today.
There were a half dozen red-legs here when I scrambled down today.
A favorite patch of California fuschia in full bloom at Pacheco State Park.
October 17, 2025 at 12:29 AM
A favorite patch of California fuschia in full bloom at Pacheco State Park.
True.
Here’s a picture of my album (just released yesterday!) on the subway.
The image is fabricated, but the album is real. Can’t compare to the Gallagher brothers, but it has its moments.
Here’s a picture of my album (just released yesterday!) on the subway.
The image is fabricated, but the album is real. Can’t compare to the Gallagher brothers, but it has its moments.
October 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
True.
Here’s a picture of my album (just released yesterday!) on the subway.
The image is fabricated, but the album is real. Can’t compare to the Gallagher brothers, but it has its moments.
Here’s a picture of my album (just released yesterday!) on the subway.
The image is fabricated, but the album is real. Can’t compare to the Gallagher brothers, but it has its moments.
Clouds over Pacheco Peak following the first real rain here since spring.
September 24, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Clouds over Pacheco Peak following the first real rain here since spring.
Two condors circling above on a toasty afternoon at Pinnacles.
September 21, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Two condors circling above on a toasty afternoon at Pinnacles.
Fiery sunset tonight along Pacheco Pass.
September 18, 2025 at 4:49 AM
Fiery sunset tonight along Pacheco Pass.
Late afternoon clouds along Pacheco Pass.
September 12, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Late afternoon clouds along Pacheco Pass.
Fog bank over Pacheco Pass at sunrise.
September 8, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Fog bank over Pacheco Pass at sunrise.
Thunderheads over the Diablo Range at sunrise following a dramatic night of weather.
September 3, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Thunderheads over the Diablo Range at sunrise following a dramatic night of weather.
Newly-transformed foothill yellow-legged frogs, thumbnail sized. Saw hundreds like this today in a watershed in Henry Coe State Park.
This species is finally slated for listing as Threatened under the ESA.
About time!
This species is finally slated for listing as Threatened under the ESA.
About time!
August 14, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Newly-transformed foothill yellow-legged frogs, thumbnail sized. Saw hundreds like this today in a watershed in Henry Coe State Park.
This species is finally slated for listing as Threatened under the ESA.
About time!
This species is finally slated for listing as Threatened under the ESA.
About time!
Mountain lion track. Upper Coyote Creek, Henry Coe State Park, CA
August 14, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Mountain lion track. Upper Coyote Creek, Henry Coe State Park, CA
Fog hovering over Pacheco Pass at sunrise.
August 12, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Fog hovering over Pacheco Pass at sunrise.
After hearing strange noises outside, I walked out to the deck and noticed a half-grown bobcat kitten and the mother nearby. (My videography skills could use some sharpening!)
August 7, 2025 at 5:48 AM
After hearing strange noises outside, I walked out to the deck and noticed a half-grown bobcat kitten and the mother nearby. (My videography skills could use some sharpening!)
This newly-hatched horned lizard scurried across the High Peaks trail in Pinnacles National Park right in front of me. It’s no bigger than a quarter.
July 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
This newly-hatched horned lizard scurried across the High Peaks trail in Pinnacles National Park right in front of me. It’s no bigger than a quarter.
Last summer I noticed a Pacific chorus frog hanging out on a nightly basis at my front doorstep. This continued into fall, and ended before winter.
Tonight I opened the door and saw my friend for the first time this year. So glad to see him (?) return!
Tonight I opened the door and saw my friend for the first time this year. So glad to see him (?) return!
July 11, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Last summer I noticed a Pacific chorus frog hanging out on a nightly basis at my front doorstep. This continued into fall, and ended before winter.
Tonight I opened the door and saw my friend for the first time this year. So glad to see him (?) return!
Tonight I opened the door and saw my friend for the first time this year. So glad to see him (?) return!
A pair of condors flying past the observation blind where I’m stationed at Pinnacles National Park.
July 10, 2025 at 6:54 PM
A pair of condors flying past the observation blind where I’m stationed at Pinnacles National Park.
San Joaquin kit fox.
We saw this pup on lightly-traveled Little Panoche Road this morning.
I know the survival rate for young foxes is low, but seeing roadkill like this is especially frustrating.
We saw this pup on lightly-traveled Little Panoche Road this morning.
I know the survival rate for young foxes is low, but seeing roadkill like this is especially frustrating.
June 12, 2025 at 11:34 PM
San Joaquin kit fox.
We saw this pup on lightly-traveled Little Panoche Road this morning.
I know the survival rate for young foxes is low, but seeing roadkill like this is especially frustrating.
We saw this pup on lightly-traveled Little Panoche Road this morning.
I know the survival rate for young foxes is low, but seeing roadkill like this is especially frustrating.
Newly-released blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Panoche Hills.
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo administers the only captive breeding program for this endangered species and has been releasing them to bolster a declining population. The transmitter will provide important information before falling off in 2 months.
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo administers the only captive breeding program for this endangered species and has been releasing them to bolster a declining population. The transmitter will provide important information before falling off in 2 months.
May 29, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Newly-released blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Panoche Hills.
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo administers the only captive breeding program for this endangered species and has been releasing them to bolster a declining population. The transmitter will provide important information before falling off in 2 months.
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo administers the only captive breeding program for this endangered species and has been releasing them to bolster a declining population. The transmitter will provide important information before falling off in 2 months.
Badger checking out ground squirrel burrows in the Little Panoche Valley,CA.
May 29, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Badger checking out ground squirrel burrows in the Little Panoche Valley,CA.